Methods to Detect if Your Water Damage is Old or New

When you have backed-up sinks, bathtubs or toilets that overflow, you know that you’re in need of water damage repair. Unfortunately, your residence can sustain water damage in ways that aren’t as noticeable. Since you have pipes running throughout your property, you can have a leaky pipe or a buildup of condensation between your ceilings and walls. It’s a difficult incident because this isn’t visible- you won’t notice it until you there’s water damage, and then it’s difficult to diagnose how long the problem has persisted.

But, when you catch damage to your walls or water spots on your ceiling, these are the sure signs of a leaky pipe or condensation generating the problem. Since the space is concealed, though, it’s challenging to ascertain how long the issue has been at hand. Although there isn’t a way to know exactly how long your water damage problem has persisted, there are some ways to indicate whether the water damage is new or old.

Learn How Old Your Water Damage is with These Steps

By taking the step-by-step process listed below, you can discover how new or old the damage produced by water:

  • History of the House: When your property has any spots caused from water damage, it’s fundamental to keep track of them when determining whether your water damage is new or old. Also, you’ll want to be observant of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like heavy rain. Know your property, since pipes with a slow drip can take some time to surface, and if you know what’s new and what’s old, you’ll be able to diagnose your issue faster.
  • History of the House: An old residence may already have some previous water damage, so it’s important to keep track of what’s there and to note if the damage alters over a period of time. Tracking the weather is a great idea too, because if you have a a slow dripping pipe, it can take some time for a spot to surface. Keeping track of your water spots and damages can save you lots of time when diagnosing whether the damage caused from water is new or old.
  • Touch the Spot: When the water spot is old, it will be squishy and mushy since during the period of the leaking water, your drywall or ceiling has taken in a good amount of water. You’ll feel moisture with a new spot but the surface won’t be soft like an older spot.
  • Look for Rings: When you see just one dark spot with no rings around it, this shows that the water damage is new. Old water damage usually has rings around it, and like trees, the more rings determines the age. Discolored rings exhibits that the area has been drenched, dried, drenched, dried, etc.
  • Examine the Materials: Materials such as thick paint and tiles can trap water and moisture, so when you have a water spot seeping through one of these, this can indicate there’s been water lingering for a period of time. Being aware of the materials can help you focus on your water damage issues more efficiently.
  • Mold Inspection: Bacteria growth typically means that the damage caused by water has lingered for about two to three days.
  • Decomposition: When your materials rot from water damage, this is typically the consequence of consistent flooding or standing water. Deterioration typically won’t occur from the first instance of leakage.

Eliminate Water Damage & Call Paul

The size of the damage caused by water doesn’t matter, Paul Davis is here to help out. Our team of expert water damage repair technicians can resolve the issue and have your property in a great state. Fix the problem now before it gets in a worse condition and call us at 989-894-4450 to find a local franchise in your location.